Ranch Foods Beef Recall Associated with CO E. coli Outbreak

Good Food Concepts, doing business as Ranch Foods Direct in Colorado, is recalling 2,606 pounds of raw beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. These products are possibly linked to an E. coli outbreak in Colorado.

FSIS was notified of an E. coli O157:H7 illness possibly associated with ground beef consumption on July 14, 2016. The USDA worked with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the El Paso County Public Health Department to determine that there is a possible link between the products from Ranch Foods Direct and this illness.

FSIS found E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef products originating from Ranch Foods Direct on July 25, 2016 through laboratory testing and traceback investigation. FSIS is working with those departments in Colorado on this outbreak and will provide more information later.

You can see the long list of recalled products, along with the package sizes, at the USDA web site. They include steak bundles, ground beef,ground tenderloin, ground beef patties, and ground chuck. USDA is concerned that some of these products could be frozen in consumers’ freezers. The products have the establishment number “EST. 27316” inside the USDA mark of inspection and “PACKED ON” dates of June 6, 7, and 8, 2016. They were shipped to wholesale and retail locations in Colorado. You can see pictures of product labels at the USDA site.

If you purchased any of these products, do not eat them. Throw them away in a sealed container or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. And always prepare ground meat products cooked to at least 160°F, as established with a meat thermometer, to avoid these types of illnesses.

The symptoms of an E. coli infection include abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, and a mild fever. Most people recover on their own, but some become so ill they must be hospitalized. Some patients, especially small children, can develop HUS from this infection and need immediate treatment.